Why Raghav Chadha was removed as AAP’s Rajya Sabha deputy leader: Is all well in Kejriwal-led party? Here’s what Ashok Mittal said

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has removed Raghav Chadha from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing him with party MP Ashok Mittal. While the party has not officially disclosed the reason, the move has sparked discussions around internal dynamics and leadership shifts within AAP.

Raghav Chadha’s Removal: What Led to the Decision?

Raghav Chadha’s removal from the Deputy Leader position comes amid reports of internal differences within the party. AAP has formally informed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat about the change and has also requested that Chadha should not be allocated speaking time in the House.

Read more: AAP removes Raghav Chadha as Deputy Leader of Rajya Sabha


Although no official explanation has been provided, several media reports suggest that concerns around discipline and alignment with the party’s stance may have played a role.

Raghav Chadha and His Distance from AAP’s Core Agenda

In recent months, Raghav Chadha appeared to have distanced himself from key party issues. Following AAP’s defeat in the 2025 Delhi elections, his public focus shifted towards broader policy concerns.

He raised topics such as:

• Paid paternity leave
• Rising food prices at airports
• Rights of gig workers
• Traffic congestion in major cities
• Menstrual hygiene and public health

While these issues gained attention, his relative silence on core party matters led to speculation about his position within AAP.

He has often drawn attention for appearing distant from party matters.

During the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the liquor policy case, Chadha had attributed his delayed response to recovering from eye surgery in the UK.

More recently, in 2026, he did not publicly react after a court cleared AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and others in the Delhi excise policy case. His absence from social media and lack of public statements following the development further fuelled speculation about his stance within the party.

Raghav Chadha and Exit Rumours Within AAP

Raghav Chadha’s absence from the list of AAP’s star campaigners for the Assam elections further fuelled rumours of a possible exit.

Additionally, his silence on high-profile developments involving senior party leaders added to the speculation. It was also noted that he did not publicly comment on recent legal developments concerning top AAP figures, raising questions about his alignment with the party leadership.

Raghav Chadha Replaced by Ashok Mittal: What the Party Says

Ashok Mittal, who has now taken over as Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, dismissed rumours of any fallout involving Raghav Chadha.

He described the change as a routine organisational decision, stating that leadership roles are often rotated to give different members experience.

Mittal emphasised that the party encourages its leaders to take on varied responsibilities to build administrative and political expertise.

Raghav Chadha’s Journey in AAP So Far

Raghav Chadha has been closely associated with AAP since its early days. He began his political journey working with Arvind Kejriwal during the Delhi Lokpal movement in 2012.

Over the years, he rose quickly within the party:

• Became a national spokesperson
• Served as the party’s youngest treasurer
• Won the Rajendra Nagar seat in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections
• Held the position of Vice-Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board
• Became one of the youngest Rajya Sabha MPs in 2022

His removal from the Deputy Leader post marks a significant shift in his political trajectory within the party.

What Raghav Chadha’s Removal Means for AAP

The decision to replace Raghav Chadha highlights possible changes in AAP’s internal structure and strategy. While the party maintains that it is a routine reshuffle, many see it as a sign of evolving leadership priorities. Whether this move indicates a deeper rift or simply a strategic adjustment remains to be seen. For now, Raghav Chadha remains a key figure in the party, even as his role undergoes change.

Inputs from agencies